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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 2:       SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

As noted above, when the Company filed its election to be regulated pursuant to the 1940 Act, it resulted in a change in accounting principle.  Accordingly, the financial statements have been restated as if the Company was operating as a BDC for all periods presented.  Pursuant to Regulation S-X, Rule 6, the Company will operate on a non-consolidated basis. 

 

Management Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents. None of the Company’s cash is restricted.

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets (Liabilities) from Operations Per Share (Earnings (Loss) per Share)

 

The Company is required to report both basic earnings per share, which is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share, which is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus all potentially dilutive shares outstanding.  At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, there are no potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. 

 

Valuation of Investments (as an Investment Company)

 

As a BDC, we are regulated by the 1940 Act. Section 2(a)(41) defines Value as (i) the market price for those securities for which a market quotation is readily available and (ii) for all other securities and assets, fair value is determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (“BOD”). We expect that few, if any, of our portfolio companies will have market quotations, and as such, we expect to rely on market transactions involving our portfolio companies and the fair value determined in good faith by our BOD for the valuation of our portfolio companies. Prior to this conversion, only marketable debt and equity securities and certain derivative securities were required to be carried at market value.

 

Portfolio assets for which market prices are available are valued at those prices. Securities that are traded in the over-the-counter market or on a stock exchange generally will be valued at the prevailing bid price on the valuation date.  However, some of the Company’s current investments were acquired in privately negotiated transactions and may have no readily determinable market values. These securities are carried at fair value as determined by the BOD and outside professionals as necessary under the Company’s valuation policy. Currently, the valuation policy provides for management’s review of the management team, financial conditions, and products and services of the portfolio company. In situations that warrant such an evaluation, an independent business valuation may be obtained.

 

Income Taxes

 

From incorporation through December 31, 2010, the Company was taxed as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, (the “Code”). Effective January 1, 2011, the Company has elected to be treated for tax purposes as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code and, as such, will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of taxable income and gains distributed to stockholders.

 

To qualify as a RIC, we are required to meet certain income and asset diversification tests. In addition, in order to be eligible for pass-through tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income” as defined by the Code.

 

Taxable income includes the Company’s taxable interest, dividend and fee income, as well as taxable net capital gains. Taxable income generally differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.

 

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties relating to any tax obligations.  The Company currently has no federal or state examinations in progress, nor has it had any federal or state tax examinations since its inception.  The last three years of the Company's tax returns are subject to federal and state tax examination.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

All items required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income are required to be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. Standards require that an enterprise (a) classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in financial statements and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately in the equity section of the balance sheet for all periods presented. The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) does not differ from its reported net income (loss).

 

As an investment company, the Company must report changes in the fair value of its investments outside of its operating income on its statement of operations and reflect the accumulated appreciation or depreciation in the fair value of its investments as a separate component of its stockholders’ deficit. This treatment is similar to the treatment discussed above.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments is required when it is practicable to estimate that value.  The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, marketable equity securities, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their estimated fair value due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments and because related interest rates offered to the Company approximate current rates.

 

Fixed Assets

 

Fixed assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets (generally five and seven years).  The carrying amount of all long-lived assets is evaluated periodically to determine if adjustment to the depreciation and amortization period or the unamortized balance is warranted.  Based upon its most recent analysis, the Company believes that no impairment of property and equipment exists at December 31, 2011 and 2010.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations when incurred.  Betterments and renewals are capitalized.  When property and equipment are sold or otherwise disposed of, the asset account and related accumulated depreciation account are relieved, and any gain or loss is included in operations.

 

Stock Based Compensation

 

The compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions (including the cost of all employee stock options) is required to be recognized in the financial statements.  That cost will be measured based on the estimated fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The Company’s financial statements reflect an expense for all share-based compensation arrangements granted on or after January 1, 2006 and for any such arrangements that are modified, cancelled or repurchased after that date, based on the grant-date estimated fair value.

 

At December 31, 2011, there are no options outstanding. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009 there were options outstanding for 434 shares from the 1997 Plan, which expired in 2011.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Cash is maintained at financial institutions.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures accounts at each institution for up to $250,000.  At times, cash balances may exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

There are several new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") which are not yet effective.  Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company.  At March 31, 2012, none of these pronouncements is expected to have a material effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.